Home Appliance Device

ABSTRACT

For the purpose of improving air circulation properties, a home appliance device is proposed. The home appliance device has at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; and at least one fan unit mounted to the inner liner for circulation of air inside the storage space, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in at least one direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device.

From the prior art refrigerators featuring anti-frost fans are known, which cause an air circulation inside a storage space of a refrigerator when operated. Such fans are arranged inside an inner liner and/or inside a smallest rectangular cuboid containing the inner liner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is, in particular, to provide a home appliance device with improved characteristics regarding air circulation. This objective is achieved, according to the claimed invention. While further implementations and further developments of the invention may be gathered from the dependent claims.

A home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, is proposed, comprising: at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; and at least one fan unit mounted to the inner liner for circulation of air inside the storage space, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in at least one direction.

By means of the invention, in particular an air circulation inside the home appliance device can be improved. In particular, a high efficiency can be achieved. Additionally, a high comfort, in particular regarding operating noise, can be achieved. Furthermore, a fan unit with a big fan rotor can be used while keeping a storage space large. Besides, an easy and/or fast assembly is facilitated. A diversity of parts can be reduced. In addition, a reliable sealing against foam can be provided. In particular, a diversity of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the requirements for a high energy efficiency class can be met.

By a “home appliance device” is in particular to be understood at least a portion, preferably a sub-assembly group, of a home appliance. The home appliance is in particular provided for storing and preferably tempering victuals such as beverages, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, milk and/or dairy products in at least one operating state, for example for the purpose of enhancing a shelf life of the stored victuals. For example, the home appliance is embodied as a home chiller appliance, which is in at least one operating state configured for cooling victuals. The home chiller appliance could in particular be embodied as a climate cabinet, an ice-box, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerator-freezer combination and/or a wine cooler. However, the home appliance could also be embodied as a home appliance for warming and in particular for cooking victuals, e.g. an oven, a steamer and/or a microwave.

The home appliance device may comprise at least one outer liner. In particular, the inner liner may be arranged inside the outer liner. In particular, there may be a gap between the inner liner and the outer liner, which may preferably be filled with foam, for instance with Polyurethane foam. During assembly, the inner liner may be placed inside the outer liner and the gap may subsequently be filled with foam during foaming. In particular, the inner liner and the outer liner may together form a main housing of the home appliance device.

The fan unit may in particular be configured for generating an air circulation inside the storage space. In particular, the fan unit may be implemented as an anti-frost unit. IN particular, the fan unit may comprise at least one fan having at least one fan motor and/or at least one fan rotor. It is conceivable that the fan unit may be configured for operating at different air circulation intensities, in particular different fan rotation speeds, for example depending on a requirement for air circulation. Furthermore, the fan unit in particular may comprise at least one air inlet and/or at least one air outlet, which may be open towards the storage space. In this context, “configured” is in particular to mean specifically programmed, designed and/or equipped. By an object being configured for a certain function is in particular to be understood that the object implements and/or fulfills said certain function in at least one application state and/or operating state.

The fan unit may in particular be implemented separately from the inner liner and in particular be mounted to the inner liner via at least one latching connection and/or at least one screw connection and/or at least one rivet connection and/or at least one adhesive connection. It is also conceivable that the fan unit may at least partly be implemented integrally with the inner liner. In this context, the term “a first object and a second object being at least partly implemented integrally” is in particular to mean that at least one component of the first object and at least one component of the second object are implemented integrally with each other. “Implemented integrally” is in particular to mean, in this context, connected at least by substance-to-substance bond, e.g. by a welding process, an adhesive bonding, an injection-molding process and/or by another process that is deemed expedient by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In particular, “implemented integrally” could in particular mean made of one piece. “Made of one piece” is, in particular, to mean, in this context, manufactured from one single piece, e.g., by production from one single cast and/or by manufacturing in a one-component or multi-component injection-molding process, and for example from a single blank.

The fan unit may extend significantly farther than the inner liner in the at least one direction, in particular farther by at least 1 cm, preferably farther by at least 3 cm or farther by at least 5 cm or farther by at least 8 cm. In particular, the fan unit may at least partly be arranged inside the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. The fan unit may in particular be at least partly located outside a smallest rectangular cuboid containing the inner liner.

It is further proposed that the fan unit may extend farther than the inner liner in a vertical direction. The vertical direction in particular is a height direction. In particular, “vertical” corresponds to a normal operating condition, in which the home appliance device is standing upright on a floor. The vertical direction is in particular aligned at least substantially parallel, in particular parallel to a main extension direction of the inner liner and/or of the outer liner and/or of the housing and/or of the home appliance device. In particular, the fan unit may protrude over a top wall of the inner liner. In particular, the fan unit may be arranged on at least one top edge, for example at least one top rear edge, of the inner liner. A “main extension direction” of an object is, in particular, to be understood, in this context, as a direction extending in parallel to a largest side of an imaginary rectangular cuboid which only just entirely encloses the object. In this context “at least substantially parallel” is in particular to be understood as an orientation of a direction with respect to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction has a deviation from the reference direction in particular of less than 15°, advantageously of less than 10° and in particular advantageously of less than 2°. As a result, a fan unit can be arranged in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, a fan unit comprising a big fan can be used.

In particular, the inner liner may feature at least one top wall section having at least one recess for receiving the fan unit. The fan unit may in particular at least partly be arranged inside the recess. For example, the recess may be an opening. In particular, the top wall section of the inner liner may implement at least a portion of a rim of the recess. Further the recess may be open towards a rear side of the inner liner. In particular, the recess may be arranged at a rear edge of the inner liner. It is also conceivable that the recess may be a through-hole, in particular of the top wall section of the inner liner. In particular in this case it is conceivable that the recess may be arranged offset to at least one edge, in particular offset to all edges of the top wall section of the inner liner and/or all edges of the inner liner. In particular, the fan unit extends through the recess from a region below the top wall section of the inner liner to a region above the top wall section of the inner liner. As a result, a fan unit can be provided which is easily mountable to an inner liner.

In particular, the fan unit may extend significantly farther than the inner liner in at least one additional direction, which is preferably oriented perpendicular to the at least one direction. In particular, the additional direction is a depth direction of the inner liner. In particular, the fan unit may stick out of the smallest rectangular cuboid containing the inner liner and/or out of the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner towards a rear and a top of the inner liner, for example at an upper rear edge of the inner liner.

It is also proposed that the fan unit may have at least one rear side cover element forming a common rear side wall together with the inner liner. The rear side wall may in particular define a front wall of the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. In particular, the inner liner may have at least one rear side wall section having at least one rear side recess for receiving the fan unit. In particular, the rear side cover element may at least partly or completely, cover the rear side recess of the inner liner, and may further seal the rear side cover element against foam. The rear side cover element may in in particular at least partly or at least to a large extent or completely be made of plastic. In particular, the rear side cover element may have at least one rear side facing away from the storage space and/or facing the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. The rear side cover element may have at least one front side facing the storage space and/or facing away from the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. The term “at least to a large extent” is in particular to mean to an extent of at least 55%, preferably to an extent of at least 65%, further preferably to an extent of at least 75%, advantageously to an extent of at least 85% and further advantageously to an extent of at least 95%. As a result, foam can be prevented from entering a storage space of a home appliance during foaming.

It is further proposed that the rear side cover element may be implemented in one piece. In particular, the rear side cover element may be implemented as an injection-molded element. As a result, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, a diversity of parts can be reduced.

Fast and/or easy manufacturability can be achieved if the rear side cover element may feature at least one latching element for latching to the inner liner. In particular, the rear side cover element may feature several latching elements, which are in particular distributed along an edge of the rear side cover element and/or around the rear side recess of the inner liner. The inner liner, in particular the rear side wall section of the inner liner, may feature at least one, in particular several, receiving elements for the at least one latching element of the rear side cover element.

A high-quality foaming and/or other advantageous properties concerning foam flow during foaming can be achieved if the rear side cover element may feature at least one foam guiding element defining at least one flow path for foam flowing through during foaming. The foam guiding element may in particular be rib-shaped. The foam guiding element may in particular be arranged on the rear side of the rear side cover element. In particular, the rear side cover element may feature several foam guiding elements, which are in particular rib-shaped and/or arranged at least substantially parallel to each other. Flow channels for foam flowing through may in particular be formed between neighboring foam guiding elements. In particular, the foam guiding element may extend at least substantially parallel to the vertical direction. In particular, the rear side cover element may feature foam guiding elements that differ regarding their length and/or their height and/or their width and/or their progression. As a result foam can flow easily in particular in a vertical direction during foaming. Furthermore, a gap between an inner liner and an outer liner can be filled with foam reliably and/or entirely.

Advantageous cable management properties can be provided if the rear side cover element may features at least one cable guiding element implementing at least a portion of a cable management. The cable guiding element may in particular be arranged on the rear side of the rear side cover element. In particular, the cable guiding element may define at least one receiving space for at least one cable, for example for at least one cable of the fan and/or of the fan motor of the fan unit. In particular, the receiving space may be accessible from a front side of the rear side cover element and/or enclosed by the cable guiding element from the rear side of the rear side cover element.

High tightness, in particular for foam, can be achieved if the fan unit may comprise at least one second rear side cover element forming a double wall together with the rear side cover element. In particular, the second rear side cover element may be covered by the rear side cover element towards the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. In particular, the second rear side cover element may at least partly be implemented integrally with the fan of the fan unit. In particular, the second rear side cover element may implement at least a portion of a housing of the fan. In particular, the second rear side cover element may be arranged offset to the rear side cover element, in particular in a gap-forming manner. In particular, the fan unit may feature at least one gap, for example a gap having an at least substantially constant width, between the rear side cover element and the second rear side cover element. In this context, an “at least substantially constant value” is to be understood as a value that varies by no more than 20%, preferably by no more than 10% and advantageously by no more than 5%.

It is further proposed that the fan unit may feature at least one top cover element, which is connected to the inner liner and in particular to the rear side cover element. In particular, the top cover element is latched to the inner liner and/or to the rear side cover element. It is also conceivable that the top cover element is connected to the inner liner and/or to the rear side cover element using at least one screw and/or using at least one rivet and/or at at least one gluing spot. In particular, the top cover element and the rear side cover element together may implement at least one portion of a housing of the fan unit, in particular a housing of a portion of the fan unit which is arranged outside the inner liner. In particular, the top cover element may cover at least a portion of the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner. In particular, the top cover element together with the rear side cover element may implement a top cover of a portion of the fan unit which may be arranged in the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner. It is also conceivable that the top cover element alone may implement a top cover of the portion of the fan unit which may be arranged in the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner. As a result, a fan unit can be provided which is easy to manufacture.

Furthermore it is proposed that the rear side cover element, the top cover element and the inner liner together may form at least one top wall. In particular, the fan unit may be integrated in the inner liner. In particular, the rear side cover element, the top cover element and the inner liner together may cover an interior of the fan unit towards the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. As a result, a fan unit can be easily and/or quickly mounted to an inner liner of a home appliance easily and/or quickly.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the fan unit may feature at least one air flow channel having at least one air turbulence unit. In particular, the air turbulence unit may be configured for swirling circulating air flowing through the air flow channel. The air flow channel may connect in particular the fan to the inlet and/or to the outlet of the fan unit. In particular, the air turbulence unit may feature at least one swirling element configured for swirling circulating air. In particular, the air turbulence unit may comprise at least one air grid featuring several swirling elements. As a result, an efficient heat transfer, in particular a high Nusselt number, can be achieved.

Favorable properties concerning air circulation can be realized with a home appliance, in particular with a home chiller appliance, comprising at least one home appliance device according to the invention.

Furthermore, a method for assembling a home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, is proposed, wherein the home appliance device comprises: at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; at least one fan unit mounted to the inner liner for circulation of air inside the storage space, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in at least one direction; at least one rear side cover element; and at least one top cover element; and wherein the rear side cover element is attached to the inner liner, in particular in a first step, and the top cover element is attached to the inner liner and to the rear side cover element, in particular in a second step.

By means of the invention in particular an air circulation inside the home appliance device can be improved. In particular, a high efficiency can be achieved. Additionally, a high comfort, in particular regarding operating noise, can be achieved. Furthermore, a fan unit with a big fan rotor can be used while keeping a storage space large. Besides, an easy and/or fast assembly is facilitated. A diversity of parts can be reduced. In addition, a reliable sealing against foam can be provided. Advantageously, a diversity of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the requirements for a high energy efficiency class can be met.

In particular, the rear side cover element may be latched to the inner liner, and/or the top cover element may be latched to the inner liner and/or to the rear side cover element. In particular, the rear side cover element and/or the top cover element may be attached without using tools. However, for all or at least for some connections between these parts other connecting methods are also conceivable, as for instance screw connections and/or rivet connections and/or adhesive connections.

Herein the home appliance device is not to be limited to the application and implementation described above. In particular, for the purpose of fulfilling a functionality herein described, the home appliance device may comprise a number of respective elements, structural components and units that differs from the number mentioned herein. Furthermore, regarding the value ranges mentioned in this disclosure, values within the limits mentioned are to be understood to be also disclosed and to be used as applicable.

Further advantages may become apparent from the following description of the drawing. In the drawing exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. The person having ordinary skill in the art will purposefully also consider the features separately and will find further expedient combinations.

If there is more than one specimen of a certain object, in some instances only one of these is given a reference numeral in the figures and in the description. The description of this specimen may be correspondingly transferred to the other specimens of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 a home appliance comprising a home appliance device, in a perspective view,

FIG. 2 a portion of the home appliance device including a fan unit, in a sectional lateral view,

FIG. 3 a portion of the home appliance device including the fan unit, in a perspective sectional view,

FIG. 4 a portion of the home appliance device including a rear side cover element of the fan unit, in a perspective view

FIG. 5 a portion of the home appliance device including the rear side cover element, in a perspective sectional view,

FIG. 6 the rear side cover element in a pre-mounted state, in a sectional lateral view,

FIG. 7 the rear side cover element in a mounted state, in a sectional lateral view,

FIG. 8 a portion of the home appliance device, including a top cover element of the fan unit in a pre-mounted state, in a sectional lateral view,

FIG. 9 the portion of the home appliance device, including the top cover element of the fan unit in a mounted state, in a sectional lateral view,

FIG. 10 a connection between the rear side cover element and the top cover element, in a perspective sectional view,

FIG. 11 a portion of an alternative home appliance device comprising a fan unit having a top cover element, in a perspective view,

FIG. 12 a portion of the alternative home appliance device including the top cover element in a pre-mounted state, in a sectional lateral view, and

FIG. 13 the portion of the alternative home appliance including the top cover element in a mounted state, in a sectional lateral view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a home appliance 52 a comprising a home appliance device 10 a in a perspective view. The home appliance 52 a is embodied as a home chiller appliance. The home appliance 52 a is embodied as a refrigerator. The home appliance device 10 a is embodied as a home chiller appliance device. The home appliance 52 a could alternatively or additionally be embodied as a wine cooler, a climate cabinet, an ice-box, a freezer and/or a refrigerator-freezer combination.

In FIG. 1 the home appliance device 10 a is shown in an installation position in a normal operating condition. The home appliance device 10 a is installed on a base. The base defines a horizontal direction 54 a. The horizontal direction 54 a is a width direction of the home appliance device 10 a.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 a in a sectional lateral view. The home appliance device 10 a comprises an inner liner 12 a defining at least one storage space 14 a. The inner liner 12 a is rectangular-cuboid-shaped. The home appliance device 10 a comprises a fan unit 16 a for circulation of air inside the storage space 14 a. The fan unit 16 a is mounted to the inner liner 12 a. The fan unit 16 a implements an anti-frost unit of the home appliance device 10 a.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 a including the fan unit 16 a in a perspective sectional view. The fan unit 16 a extends farther than the inner liner 12 a in at least one direction 18 a. The fan unit 16 a extends farther than the inner liner 12 a in a vertical direction 20 a. In the case shown the fan unit 16 a extends by a few cm farther in the direction 18 a than the inner liner 12 a. The vertical direction 20 a is oriented perpendicularly to the horizontal direction 54 a. The vertical direction 20 a is a height direction of the home appliance device 10 a.

The fan unit 16 a extends farther than the inner liner 12 a in an additional direction 56 a. The additional direction 56 a is a depth direction of the home appliance device 10 a. The additional direction 56 a is oriented perpendicularly to the horizontal direction 54 a and to the vertical direction 20 a.

The home appliance device 10 a comprises an outer liner 58 a. The inner liner 12 a is arranged inside the outer liner 58 a. The home appliance device 10 a comprises a gap 60 a between the inner liner 12 a and the outer liner 58 a. The gap 60 a is filled with PU foam during foaming. The outer liner 58 a and the inner liner 12 a together form a main housing of the home appliance device 10 a.

The inner liner 12 a features a top wall section 22 a having at least one recess 24 a for receiving the fan unit 16 a. The recess 24 a is arranged at a top rear edge 62 a of the inner liner 12 a. The recess 24 a is U-shaped. The recess 24 a is open towards the gap 60 a. Alternatively it is conceivable that a fan unit is arranged at a front edge and/or a lateral edge and/or a bottom edge of an inner liner. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a recess is implemented as a through-hole and/or in a bottom wall section and/or in a side wall section and/or in a front wall section of an inner liner.

The fan unit 16 a features a fan 64 a with a fan rotor 66 a. An interior of the fan 64 a, containing for instance a fan motor and electronics of the fan, is not shown for reasons of clarity. The fan unit 16 a features at least one air flow channel 48 a having at least one air turbulence unit 50 a. The air flow channel 48 a is connected to the fan 64 a. The air turbulence unit 50 a comprises a number of swirling elements 68 a, of which only one is given a reference numeral for reasons of clarity. The swirling elements 68 a are arranged on an air-swirling grid 70 a of the air turbulence unit 50 a. The swirling elements 68 a are configured for swirling air flowing through the air flow channel 48 a. The turbulence unit 50 a is configured for enhancing an efficiency of heat transfer.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 a in a perspective view. The fan unit 16 a comprises a rear side cover element 26 a. FIG. 5 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 a including the rear side cover element 26 a in a perspective sectional view. For clarity, parts of the fan unit 16 a are not shown in FIG. 5.

The rear side cover element 26 a forms a common rear side wall 28 a together with the inner liner 12 a, in particular with a rear wall section 71 a of the inner liner 12 a. The common rear side wall 28 a seals the storage space 14 a against foam and/or against the gap 60 a.

The rear side cover element 26 a is implemented in one piece. The rear side cover element 26 a is made of plastic. The rear side cover element 26 a is an injection-moulded element. However, it is also conceivable that a rear side cover element is partly or completely made of metal and/or another suitable material.

The rear side cover element 26 a features a cup-shaped portion 72 a implementing an receiving space 74 a for the fan 64 a. The fan 64 a is partly arranged inside the receiving space 74 a.

FIG. 5 further shows that the inner liner 12 a features a rear side wall section 76 a with a rear side recess 78 a for receiving the fan unit 16 a. The rear side recess 78 a is implemented integrally with the recess 24 a of the top wall section 22 a. The fan unit 16 a sticks out of the inner liner 12 a through the recess 24 a of the top wall section 22 a and the rear side recess 78 a of the rear side wall section 76 a. The fan unit 16 a sticks out of a smallest cuboid containing the inner liner 12 a through the recess 24 a of the top wall section 22 a and the rear side recess 78 a of the rear side wall section 76 a.

The rear side cover element 26 a features a latching element 29 a for latching to the inner liner 12 a. The rear side cover element 26 a is latched to the rear side wall section 76 a of the inner liner 12 a. The latching element 29 a is latched with a receiving element 80 a of the inner liner 12 a. The receiving element 80 a is implemented as a through-hole. In the shown embodiment the rear side cover element 26 a comprises a plurality of latching elements 29 a arranged around the rear side recess 78 a, of which only one is given a reference numeral for reasons of clarity.

The rear side cover element 26 a features at least one foam guiding element 30 a defining at least one flow path 32 a for foam flowing through during foaming. The foam guiding element 30 a is rib-shaped. The foam guiding element 30 a extends in a direction parallel to the vertical direction 20 a. In the shown embodiment the rear side cover element 26 a features a plurality of different foam guiding elements 30 a and a plurality of flow paths 32 a, not all of which are given reference numerals for reasons of clarity. The flow paths 32 a are implemented as flow channels between neighboring foam guiding elements 30 a.

The rear side cover element 26 a features at least one cable guiding element 34 a implementing at least a portion of a cable management 38 a, in particular for cables of the fan 64 a, which are not shown for reasons of clarity. The cable guiding element 34 a defines a receiving space 82 a for cables of the fan 64 a. In the case shown the rear side cover element 26 a features an additional cable guiding element 36 a, which is implemented mirror-symmetrically to the cable guiding element 34 a.

As further shown in FIG. 2 the fan unit 16 a comprises a second rear side cover element 40 a forming a double wall 42 a together with the rear side cover element 26 a. The rear side cover element 26 a covers the second rear side cover element 40 a towards the gap 60 a. The double wall 42 a provides a reliable sealing against foam from the gap 60 a. The second rear side cover element 40 a is at least partly implemented integrally with the fan 64 a. The second rear side cover element 40 a implements a rear side cover of the fan 64 a.

FIG. 6 shows the rear side cover element 26 a in a pre-mounted state in a sectional lateral view. FIG. 7 shows the rear side cover element 26 a in a mounted state in a sectional lateral view. During mounting, the rear side cover element 26 a is brought into contact with the inner liner 12 a. The latching element 29 a is inserted into the receiving element 80 a. Subsequently, the rear side cover element 26 a is slid downwards parallel to the vertical direction 20 a in order to latch the latching element 29 a with the receiving element 80 a.

FIG. 8 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 a in a sectional lateral view. The fan unit 16 a comprises a top cover element 44 a, which is connected to the inner liner 12 a. FIG. 8 shows the top cover element 44 a in a pre-mounted state. FIG. 9 shows the portion of the home appliance device 10 a including the top cover element 44 a in a mounted state in a sectional lateral view. FIG. 10 shows a connection between the rear side cover element 26 a and the top cover element 44 a in a perspective sectional view.

The top cover element 44 a is latched to the inner liner 12 a. The top cover element 44 a is latched to the rear side cover element 26 a. The top cover element 44 a features a latching element 84 a. During mounting, the latching element 84 a of the top cover element 44 a is hooked to a rim of the recess 24 a and swiveled toward the rear side cover element 26 a. The top cover element 44 a features a groove 86 a for connecting to a tongue element 88 a of the rear side cover element 26 a.

The rear side cover element 26 a, the top cover element 44 a and the inner liner 12 a together form a top wall 46 a. The top wall 46 a seals an interior of the fan unit 16 a against foam from the gap 60 a. The rear side cover element 26 a and the top cover element 44 a each form a portion of a common top cover 90 a covering a portion of the fan unit 16 a, which is arranged outside the inner liner 12 a. The top cover 90 a covers the fan 64 a towards the gap 60 a between the inner liner 12 a and the outer liner 58 a. Owing to the top cover 90 a the fan 64 a can be arranged at a topmost position inside or even partly outside the inner liner 12 a.

When assembling the home appliance device 10 a, the rear side cover element 26 a is attached to the inner liner 12 a, and the top cover element 44 a is attached to the inner liner 12 a and to the rear side cover element 26 a.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The following description is substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein regarding structural elements, features and functions that remain the same, the description of the other exemplary embodiment, in particular of FIGS. 1 to 10, may be referred to. For distinguishing the exemplary embodiments, the letter a of the reference numerals in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10 has been substituted by the letter b in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 11 to 13. Regarding structural elements having the same denomination, in particular regarding structural elements having the same reference numerals, principally the drawing and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiment, in particular of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10, may be referred to.

FIG. 11 shows a portion of an alternative home appliance device 10 b in a perspective view. The alternative home appliance device 10 b is implemented in a similar fashion as the home appliance device 10 a of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10. The alternative home appliance device 10 b comprises at least one inner liner 12 b defining at least one storage space which is not shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The alternative home appliance device 10 b comprises a fan unit 16 b for circulation of air inside the storage space. The fan unit 16 b extends farther than the inner liner 12 b in at least one direction 18 b. In the case shown the direction 18 b is a vertical direction 20 b.

The fan unit 16 b comprises a rear side cover element 26 b. The rear side cover element 26 b is connected to the inner liner 12 b. The rear side cover element 26 b forms a common rear side wall 28 b together with the inner liner 12 b.

The fan unit 16 b comprises a top cover element 44 b. The top cover element 44 b is connected to the inner liner 12 b. The top cover element 44 b forms a top wall 46 b together with the inner liner 12 b. The top cover element 44 b features at least one foam guiding element 92 b defining at least one flow path 94 b for foam flowing through during foaming. The top cover element 44 b features a plurality of foam guiding elements 92 b and a plurality of flow paths 94 b, which are not given reference numerals for reasons of clarity.

FIG. 12 shows a portion of the alternative home appliance device 10 b with the top cover element 44 b in a pre-mounted state. FIG. 13 shows the portion of the alternative home appliance device 10 b with the top cover element 44 b in a mounted state. The top cover element 44 b features a latching element 84 b. The latching element 84 b is latched with the inner liner 12 b. The latching element 84 b is latched with a top wall section 22 b of the inner liner 12 b. The top cover element 44 b features a groove 86 b which is hooked to a tongue element 96 b of the inner liner 12 b. The tongue element 96 b is implemented by a rear side edge 62 b of the inner liner 12 b. The top cover element 44 b forms a top cover 90 b covering a portion of the fan unit 16 b which is not covered by the top wall section 22 b of the inner liner 12 b. The top cover element 44 b covers a fan of the fan unit 16 b, which fan is not explicitly shown in FIGS. 11 to 13.

When assembling the alternative home appliance device 12 b, the rear side cover element 26 b is attached to the inner liner 12 b. Furthermore, the top cover element 44 b is attached to the inner liner 12 b. The top cover element 44 b is attached to the inner liner 12 b separately from the rear side cover element 26 b.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

-   10 home appliance device -   12 inner liner -   14 storage space -   16 fan unit -   18 direction -   20 vertical direction -   22 top wall section -   24 recess -   26 rear side cover element -   28 rear side wall -   29 latching element -   30 foam guiding element -   32 flow path -   34 guiding element -   36 guiding element -   38 cable management -   40 rear side cover element -   42 wall -   44 top cover element -   46 wall -   48 air flow channel -   50 air turbulence unit -   52 home appliance -   54 direction -   56 direction -   58 outer liner -   60 gap -   62 edge -   64 fan -   66 fan rotor -   68 swirling element -   70 air-swirling grid -   71 rear wall section -   72 portion -   74 receiving space -   76 rear side wall section -   78 rear side recess -   80 receiving element -   82 receiving space -   84 latching element -   86 groove -   88 tongue element -   90 top cover -   92 foam guiding element -   94 flow path -   96 tongue element 

1. A home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, comprising: at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; and at least one fan unit mounted to the inner liner for circulation of air inside the storage space, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in at least one direction.
 2. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in a vertical direction.
 3. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the inner liner featuring at least one top wall section which has at least one recess for receiving the fan unit.
 4. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the fan unit having at least one rear side cover element forming a common rear side wall together with the inner liner.
 5. The home appliance device according to claim 4, the rear side cover element being implemented in one piece.
 6. The home appliance device according to claim 4, the rear side cover element featuring at least one latching element for latching to the inner liner.
 7. The home appliance device according to claim 4, the rear side cover element featuring at least one foam guiding element defining at least one flow path for foam flowing through during foaming.
 8. The home appliance device according to claim 4, the rear side cover element featuring at least one cable guiding element implementing at least a portion of a cable management.
 9. The home appliance device according to claim 4, the fan unit comprising at least one second rear side cover element forming a double wall together with the rear side cover element.
 10. The home appliance device according to claim 4, the fan unit featuring at least one top cover element, which is connected to the inner liner.
 11. The home appliance device according to claim 10, the rear side cover element, the top cover element and the inner liner together forming at least one top wall.
 12. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the fan unit featuring at least one air flow channel, which has at least one air turbulence unit.
 13. A home appliance, in particular a home chiller appliance, comprising at least one home appliance device according to claim
 1. 14. A method for assembling a home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, comprising: at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; at least one fan unit mounted to the inner liner for circulation of air inside the storage space, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in at least one direction; at least one rear side cover element; and at least one top cover element; wherein the rear side cover element is attached to the inner liner, and the top cover element is attached to the inner liner and to the rear side cover element.
 15. The method according of claim 14, configured to assemble the home appliance device according to claim
 1. 